Federal Government

The Federal Government is granted its powers by the U.S. Constitution, and consists of three parts: the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.

Executive Branch:

• The President• The Vice President• The Cabinet

Both the president and vice president are elected into office and may serve four years, unless they are reelected, then they may serve for eight years. The president is the head of the government and commander-in-chief for the military forces. If the president dies while in office, or is unable to continue with the presidency, the vice president assumes the position automatically. The cabinet is a group of people hand-picked by the president that oversee various parts of the federal government.

Legislative Branch: consist of a two-part Congress

The Senate:

• In the Senate there are 100 seats• One-third of those seats are renewed every two years• Two members are elected from each state by popular voted to serve six-year terms

The House of Representatives:

• In the House of Representatives there are 435 seats, divided among states according to their population• Members are elected by popular voted to serve two-year terms representing specific geographic areas of their states

Judicial Branch:

Consists of the Supreme Court, federal appeals courts and district courts. The Supreme Court is considered the ultimate judicial authority. Its nine judges (“justices”) are appointed for life by the president, with confirmation by the Senate. The district courts hear propositions from U.S. citizens who wish to have their propositions passed. The federal appeals court hears appeals from the district court and decides whether or not to send the proposition to the Supreme Court.

Federal Government

The Federal Government is granted its powers by the U.S. Constitution, and consists of three parts: the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.

Executive Branch:

• The President• The Vice President• The Cabinet

Both the president and vice president are elected into office and may serve four years, unless they are reelected, then they may serve for eight years. The president is the head of the government and commander-in-chief for the military forces. If the president dies while in office, or is unable to continue with the presidency, the vice president assumes the position automatically. The cabinet is a group of people hand-picked by the president that oversee various parts of the federal government.

Legislative Branch: consist of a two-part Congress

The Senate:

• In the Senate there are 100 seats• One-third of those seats are renewed every two years• Two members are elected from each state by popular voted to serve six-year terms

The House of Representatives:

• In the House of Representatives there are 435 seats, divided among states according to their population• Members are elected by popular voted to serve two-year terms representing specific geographic areas of their states

Judicial Branch:

Consists of the Supreme Court, federal appeals courts and district courts. The Supreme Court is considered the ultimate judicial authority. Its nine judges (“justices”) are appointed for life by the president, with confirmation by the Senate. The district courts hear propositions from U.S. citizens who wish to have their propositions passed. The federal appeals court hears appeals from the district court and decides whether or not to send the proposition to the Supreme Court.